Blow-flies
Guides
Brachymeria podagrica
Brachymeria podagrica is a cosmopolitan parasitoid wasp in the family Chalcididae, known from Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Colombia, and multiple other regions worldwide. The species is a solitary idiobiont parasitoid of dipteran pupae, particularly flesh flies (Sarcophagidae) and blow flies (Calliphoridae). It has been documented attacking Sarcodexia lambens, Peckia collusor, Hemilucilia flavifacies, Chrysomya albiceps, and Sarcophaga dux, among other hosts. Development from egg to adult emergence takes approximately 20–27 days under favorable conditions, with overwintering generations requiring 155–180 days. Adults are commonly observed near aphid colonies feeding on honeydew, and occasionally visit flowers such as wild carrot. The species has forensic significance due to its predictable emergence from fly pupae on decomposing corpses.
Calliphora
bluebottle flies, blow flies, bottle flies
Calliphora is the type genus of the blow fly family Calliphoridae, established in 1830. Adults are recognized by their metallic blue abdomens and dull grey to black thoraxes. The genus is globally distributed with highest diversity in Australia. Several species, particularly C. vicina, C. vomitoria, and C. livida, are among the most important insects in forensic entomology due to their predictable colonization of carrion.
Cyanus
Cyanus is a genus of blow flies in the family Calliphoridae, established by Hall in 1948. The genus contains at least one recognized species, C. elongatus (Hough, 1898). As a member of the Calliphoridae, it belongs to the diverse group of calyptrate flies commonly known as blow flies or bluebottles.
Lucilia
greenbottle flies, green bottle flies
Lucilia is a genus of blow flies in the family Calliphoridae, commonly known as greenbottle flies for their metallic green coloration. Species in this genus are among the most frequently encountered carrion-associated flies worldwide and hold significant importance in forensic entomology, medical maggot therapy, and veterinary contexts. The genus includes species with cosmopolitan distributions due to human commerce, notably Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina. Larvae are obligate scavengers of decomposing organic matter, with some species capable of causing myiasis in living hosts.
Melanomyinae
Melanomyinae is a subfamily of blow flies (Calliphoridae) characterized by dull, non-metallic coloration. The group contains approximately 10 recognized genera including Melanomya, Melinda, and Adichosina. Biological and ecological details remain poorly documented across the subfamily.
Oestroidea
Bot Flies, Blow Flies, and Allies
Oestroidea is a superfamily of Calyptratae comprising approximately 15,000 described species worldwide. It includes blow flies (Calliphoridae), bot flies (Oestridae), flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), tachinid flies (Tachinidae), and related families. The group exhibits diverse ecological strategies including saprophagy, parasitism, and parasitoidism. Molecular analyses confirm Oestroidea as monophyletic, though relationships among constituent families remain partially unresolved.
Trypocalliphora
Trypocalliphora is a genus of blow flies in the family Calliphoridae, subfamily Chrysomyinae. It was described by Peus in 1960. The genus contains at least one recognized species, Trypocalliphora braueri. Records indicate a distribution in northern Europe (including Norway and Sweden) and potentially Northern America, though documentation remains sparse.